Monaghan’s magic lifts No. 20 Butler to comeback win over Villanova
Image credit: BIG EAST
INDIANAPOLIS — Expectations were modest just about everywhere but the Butler training grounds. After all, this team was only picked to finish sixth in the BIG EAST before the season. So much for predictions.
A brace from Paige Monaghan, the second of which was a jaw-dropping golden goal in overtime, paced Butler to a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Villanova. The result earned Butler the No. 2 seed — and more importantly, a first-round bye — in the conference tournament.
The Bulldogs found themselves down early from an Emily Kuefler tally. The Villanova defender put away a set-piece service from Kristin Barbour to open the scoring in the 21st minute. And before that, the Wildcats flubbed a sitter that could’ve put them up even sooner.
Butler ramped up the attack, but multiple ventures in the box struggled to generate quality chances. Eventually the pressure got to the visitors, and the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. Paige Monaghan cooly stepped to the spot and converted in the upper 90 to level matters 1-1.
Here’s a look at the Paige Monaghan goal to tie up the game! pic.twitter.com/6nItzAckLo
— Butler Womens Soccer (@ButlerWSoccer) October 27, 2017
It wasn’t the only time Monaghan went top shelf.
The visiting side almost ended it in regulation, but Bulldogs goalkeeper Leonie Doege stonewalled a point-blank Villanova shot. In fact, the Wildcats found pockets of space inside Butler’s box multiple times throughout. An uncharacteristically lapse-prone Bulldogs defense wasn’t marking as tightly as the unit that’s produced 14 clean sheets this season normally does.
But the 20th-ranked hosts knew what was at stake: a chance for extra rest and an automatic berth into the semifinals.
Just 25 seconds into overtime, Monaghan jumped on a poor Wildcats clearance and arced a left-footed effort from distance up and over the outstretched arms of opposing goalkeeper Emily Harris. Game, set, match. Monaghan’s dagger happened so quickly that it left a gutted Villanova squad in utter disbelief.
GOOOOAL! Monaghan with the game-winner for the Dawgs! pic.twitter.com/0pI3zj5XrF
— Butler Womens Soccer (@ButlerWSoccer) October 27, 2017
Monaghan’s performance was demonstratively worthy of woman of the match, which should come as no surprise at this point. The junior from New Jersey has taken her game to uncharted heights this season on both sides of the ball.
It’s now onto the BIG EAST tournament for the Bulldogs. Next Thursday they’ll face the winner of Sunday’s DePaul vs. Providence first-round matchup.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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